U.S. Rep. Yakym honors Coach Lou Holtz

 Today, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) honored the life and legacy of Coach Lou Holtz on the House Floor.

Full transcript below:

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we lost a giant.

Growing up in South Bend, Coach Holtz was more than a football coach. He was a living legend.

When I was young, my family took me to a Notre Dame hockey game, and we were walking up late, so there was nobody else around, and appearing out from the shadows, you could see the silhouette of Coach Holtz.

My father asked if he had a moment to say hello and sign autographs for us.

Coach could have just blown us off, but he didn't do that.

He walked straight up to me, got down on one knee, stuck out his hand, and said,

"Hi, I'm Coach Holtz. What's your name?"

That moment for me became a lifelong lesson.

It taught me that no matter who you are or where you go in life, you're never too important to say hello to someone that wants your time.

That's exactly who Coach Holtz was a National Champion, a Hall of Fame coach, sure, but even more importantly, he was an extraordinary person.

He's someone who brought out the best of people.

He got more out of people than they ever believed possible.

He inspired them to be the best that they could be, and he set a high standard of excellence that the people around him could only hope to achieve.

Sallyann and I lift up the Holtz family in our prayers.

Thank you, Coach, for the memories.

Thank you for your positive influence on the South Bend community and Notre Dame at large.

Go Irish.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back.